The programme provides an in-depth study of the field of children’s rights, and pays particular attention to how children’s rights laws intersect with other disciplines of law.

Programme outline

International children’s rights is a unique area of law because it is both multi-layered (covering international, regional and national legal systems) and interdisciplinary in its scope.

You will study children’s rights from a comparative perspective, which includes comparisons between international and national children’s rights instruments. You will also look at how children’s rights laws intersect with other disciplines of law, including:

• human rights law
• civil law
• criminal law
• humanitarian law
• family law
• migration law

Courses

• Interaction between Children’s Rights and other International Legal Systems
• Children in the Justice System
• Child and Family in Private International Law
• Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of Children
• Child Protection and Children’s Rights
• Migration and Children’s Rights
• Enforcement and Monitoring of Children’s Rights
• Children’s rights and Digital Technologies
• Thesis

Full-time or part-time

You can follow the programme full-time for one year or part-time for two years. Part-time students are offered the same facilities and courses as full-time students, and the courses are offered during the day. For non-European students, the part-time option is not possible because of visa requirements.

For whom?

• law graduates in possession of a full law degree (offering access to legal practice) or legal professionals.
• graduates who hold a degree at an equivalent level in another discipline with a sufficient background in or understanding of law and/or sufficient professional experience in the field.

This programme aims to nurture a new generation of scholars and practitioners, and prepare its students to address the issues impacting the rights and interests of children across the globe.

Our graduates meet the requirements for a range of positions including:

1. governmental and inter-governmental bodies and public administration (both national and international)
2. national, regional and international (non-governmental) organisations dealing with children’s rights issue
3. the judiciary
4. national human rights institutions (e.g. ombudspersons)
5. civil society organizations dealing with children’s rights issue
6. monitoring and advisory national and international bodies or
7. law firms or companies involved with children and/or family matters.

Children’s rights specialists

The Advanced Studies in International Children’s Rights programme equips its graduates with the relevant skills and expertise to pursue a career as children’s rights specialists, and promote child-friendly policies, legal reform, advocacy and programs at the national, regional and international level.
Graduates of the programme have found key positions in various organisations dealing with children’s rights issues, such international and national monitoring and advisory bodies, national, regional and international organisations, governmental bodies, national human rights institutions, or civil society organisations.
Substantively, the graduates will be prepared to work in various domains affecting children, including, but not limited to, child protection, education, health care for children, child labour, children in armed conflict, children living on the street, migrant children, or children in the justice system.

Human rights and development, with specialization in children

In a broader sense this programme complements careers in any human rights field, and suits those who, upon completion, would like to branch out to engage with other human rights concerns (such as gender equality, refugees and asylum seekers, domestic labour, or persons with disabilities). In addition, given the evident link between children’s rights and the (post 2015) world development agenda, this programme places graduates in an ideal position to work for development bodies and institutes.

Academic Research / PhD

The programme also fits newly graduated, talented students who wish to pursue advanced studies at a postgraduate level or engage in a PhD in the field of children’s rights.
Leiden Law School, and in particular the child law department, enjoys a strong international reputation for its academic research programme and centers. Excellent graduates of the Advanced studies in International Children Rights are encouraged to apply for postdoctoral research positions, and contribute to the legal scholarship in the field of children’s rights.

Accommodations for working students

The programme is also offered part-time (two academic years), with daytime classes. and can accommodate working students who are already pursuing a career. For non-European students the part-time option is not possible because of visa requirements.